Kenilworth Wardens Reserves kicked off their league campaign in perfect fashion as they dispatched Bourton and Frankton FC 9-1, laying a marker down for the rest of their Alliance Three campaign.

Wardens started brightly and on the front foot, using their passing game to dominate their opponents.

The first goal of the game went to captain Archie Evans, who, after being played in by Eamonn Richards, fired past the keeper to give Wardens a deserved lead for their bright start.

The second goal came after the Wardens defence rode some Bourton pressure, with the home side looking dangerous from set pieces and longer balls into the box.

Charlie Waters broke away down the right and whipped a ball into the six yard box which was diverted past his own keeper by Bourton's centre half. 2-0 to Wardens.

The third goal came from a direct free kick won by Luca Valle, who, along with Richards and the tireless Alex Waters, dominated the midfield battle.

Archie Evans beating the keeper with a dipping free kick to put the away side 3-0 up with fifteen minutes to go in the half.

Bourton got back into the game thanks to a defensive lapse from the Wardens, allowing their striker to bundle past Whitehouse in the Wardens goal and grab a goal back for the home team.

The home side then put the Wardens defence under a spell of pressure from corners, but the defence stood up to the test and parried, earning theirselves a flurry of corners just before half time which brought them their fourth goal, with James Butler's goalwards header being prodded home by Ben Edmunds.

4-1 to Wardens at the break.

Manager Tom Perrin sent his side out with the message of more of the same in the second half, while keeping check on Bourton's long ball game and threat from set pieces.

Andy Whitehouse had to be alert thirty seconds in to repel Bourton's winger, but afterwards the away side really turned on the style.

Ben Edmunds got his second of the day from a Richards corner, heading past the helpless Bourton keeper for 5-1.

The sixth goal came not long after when Richards again turned provider, nutmegging his opponent and playing in Sean Povey for a well deserved goal. Povey got his second not long after, with man of the match Richards' fourth assist of the game coming from another Wardens corner for 7-1.

By this point, youngster Toby Wells had entered the action and was tormenting teh Bourton right-back, Wells unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with his first touch.

The eight goal for Wardens came from Povey again, a superb diving header from a Ben Edmunds cross for his hat-trick.

Pushing forward and picking off their opponents at will now, Wardens sought for more, Luca Valle testing the keeper from distance, Richards hitting the post albeit from an offside position and the lively Wells breaking through and creating chances at will.

The ninth goal owed a lot to the unselfishness of Wells, who, when through one on one with a sight of goal, laid the ball to Alex Waters for an easy tap-in for nine.

That is how the game ended, 9-1 to Kenilworth Wardens Reserves.

Manager Tom Perrin was delighted at the end, saying: "we couldn't have asked for a better start and really laid down the marker today for the rest of the season.

"I thought the thirteen lads today were fantastic, and did everything asked of them. If we take that effort, endeavour and attitude into the season and aim for that level of performance each week, we'll have a great season."

Wardens Reserves now move on to play Coundon Court FC away from home on Saturday 18.

Kenilworth Wardens are proudly sponsored by Aaron Richards Carpets and Flooring.

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